How To Fix SH016 - The column of the field selected cannot be deleted

SH016 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SH - SAPhelp messages

• Message number: 016

• Message text: The column of the field selected cannot be deleted

What causes this issue?

You tried to hide the F4 Help key field in the
user-defined column selection (the column highlighted in color).
This column must not be hidden, otherwise a selected value cannot be
returned.

System Response

The action is rejected

How to fix this error?

Please only hide non-key columns (not highlighted).

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SH016 - The column of the field selected cannot be deleted ?

  The SAP error message SH016, which states "The column of the field selected cannot be deleted," typically occurs when you attempt to delete a column in a report or a data structure that is not allowed. This can happen in various contexts, such as in SAP Query, SAP Report Painter, or other reporting tools within SAP.
  Causes:
  
  Field Usage: The field you are trying to delete may be used in other parts of the report or data structure, making it necessary to retain it.
  Technical Restrictions: Some fields are defined as mandatory or are part of a key structure, which prevents their deletion.
  Data Integrity: Deleting certain fields may compromise the integrity of the data model or report, leading to restrictions on deletion.
  User Permissions: The user may not have the necessary permissions to modify the report or data structure.
  
  Solutions:
  
  Check Field Usage: Review the report or data structure to see if the field is being